others, and he has been, frankly, very convincing and very compelling on this issue from the beginning, educating his own political party as well as the american people at how devastating these cuts would be if sequestration hits. let's face t it's going to hit. >> you were talking about the paychecks and the immediate effect. i know that sometimes former generals are called upon to visit the basis. my dad's a former colonel and he'll do this to lift up the morale. what would you be telling those young soldiers who are putting their lives on the line while this battle is going on in washington? it's got to be attracting for them. >> well, i think our leaders are doing that. they're talking to the troops and -- because while we're in the football season, people are preoccupied. our troops aren't immune to what is going on in the country and they pay attention. our leaders would tell them, look, our leaders will come to their senses eventually. they're probably holding out with optimism. let me just say this to be frank, the -- while sequestration will hit, it will not be a cliff. it will be a slop